Agenda / Content Covered

1. An Introduction to School Safety: Reviewing FERPA, Current Trends, Hot-Button Issues, Legislative Developments and Applicable Terms
   9:00 - 9:30, James P. Evans
   
2. Reviewing Roles, Rules, Best Practices, Policies, Training and Resources for Administrators, Teachers, Support Staff and Law Enforcement
   9:30 - 10:15, James P. Evans
   
   1. Establishing and Maintaining Relationships (School Resource Officers (SROs), Law Enforcement, Teachers, Administrators, Etc.)
   2. Crisis Teams, Counselors, Administrators, Staff, SROs and Other Community Members: Defining Roles and Responsibilities
   3. Dealing with Qualified Immunity Issues for School Staff/Officials
   4. School Safety Training for Staff
   5. Drafting Policies and Creating Resources
3. Creating a Solid Safety Plan, Crisis Plan and Lockdown Procedures
   10:30 - 11:30, James P. Evans
   
   1. Creating a Safe Culture/Environment That Values Comprehensive Physical and Emotional Safety
   2. Developing School-Wide Safety, Crisis, Evacuation and Lockdown Plans
   3. Developing De-Escalation Techniques
   4. Reviewing Liability Issues in School Safety Programs, Including POST (Section 1983 and State Law Tort)
   5. Creating Compliant Policies and Procedures Punishing Conduct Implicating Safety
   6. Anonymous Reporting Methodologies
4. Weapons and School Safety: Reviewing Restrictions, Best Practices and Response Plans
   11:30 - 12:30, George E. Mead III
   
   1. Reviewing Federal and State Laws, Restrictions, and Liabilities and Best Practices
   2. What to do When Students Bring Weapons to School
   3. Creating Active Shooter Response Plans
   4. Arming School Personnel
   5. Reviewing Weapon Free School Laws
5. Reviewing Search and Seizure Legal Standards, Criminal Considerations and the First Amendment
   1:30 - 2:30, Charles E. Symons
   
   1. Reviewing the 1st, 4th, and 14th Amendments
   2. Under What Circumstances is it ok to Search Students' Lockers, Bags, Etc.?
   3. "True Threats" vs. Vulgar Language: When Does a Code of Behavior Violate the First Amendment?
   4. Conducting Student and Employee Searches (Legal Standards)
   5. Metal Detectors, Drug Dogs and Searches
   6. Identifying Video Surveillance Legal Implications
   7. Regulating Possession and Use of Illegal Drugs
   8. Dealing with Gang Activity
6. Developing Discipline, Suspension and Expulsion Standards
   2:45 - 3:45, Charles E. Symons
   
   1. Reviewing School Discipline Laws and Regulations
   2. Handling Students Who Present Potential Problems
   3. Developing Standards for Expulsion and Suspension
   4. School Discipline/Role of the Courts in Connection with Safety Issues
   5. Keeping Students with Disabilities and Mental Health Issues Safe
   6. Reviewing Student Codes of Conduct and Discipline
   7. Disciplinary Methodologies
7. Preventing Student Bullying and Harassment
   3:45 - 4:30, Charles E. Symons
   
   1. Reviewing Bullying Policies From the Top Down
   2. Understanding the Impact of Social Media on Students' Internet Safety and Preventing Cyberbullying
   3. Bullying vs. Teasing vs. Criminal Behavior
   4. Developing Bullying/Hazing Policies and Responses

JAMES P. EVANS is a partner in the firm of Barclay Damon, LLP, which has nearly 300 experienced attorneys across 33 specialized and diverse practice areas, in 11 strategically located offices. He is located in the firm's Syracuse office, where he practices in the areas of municipal law, education law, labor and employment law, commercial litigation, insurance coverage litigation, and construction law. Mr. Evans has successfully handled a number of legal matters relating to the legal obligations of public agencies and municipalities over the past 25 years, and he regularly advises and represents public educational institutions, among other clients. He is an assistant professor of education at Le Moyne College, where he teaches master's level courses in education law; and he has been a guest lecturer for the New York State Bar Association and higher education institutions, and a frequent lecturer for National Business Institute. Mr. Evans is a member of the American, New York State and Onondaga County bar associations. He earned his B.A. degree from New York State University at Oswego and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law.

GEORGE E. MEAD III began working for Madison-Oneida BOCES in May of 2013. Mr. Mead has been building on a career in public service since 1980. Beginning his legal career working as counsel for his hometown, the city of Rome, he has served as Jefferson County attorney, assistant state attorney general, regional attorney for the NYS DEC, LeRay town justice, and a municipal attorney while in private practice at Schwerzmann & Wise, P.C. (Watertown, 2001-2013). Mr. Mead’s work has involved handling the legal affairs of municipalities, public authorities, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, and now BOCES and school districts. Throughout his career, he has worked with various governing boards and officers in all areas of municipal law and governance, including legislation, regulation, and policy-making; liability; law enforcement; FOIL-OML; education law; juvenile proceedings; civil service, employment and labor laws; human resources; labor negotiations, grievances, arbitrations, and hearings; workers' compensation; environmental matters; contracts; real estate; land use; finance; and related municipal litigation. Mr. Mead has served on the Governor's Advisory Committee to the New York State Commission on Ethics in Local Government and several state task forces to revise state laws concerning local governments. He has presented many training programs for local government officials and continuing education programs for attorneys and judges. Mr. Mead received his undergraduate degree from Colgate University and his J.D. degree from New York Law School.

CHARLES E. SYMONS is an attorney with Ferrara Fiorenza P.C. Mr. Symons’ primary practice areas are labor and employment law, education law, constitutional law, and related civil litigation. A substantial portion of his practice has involved the defense of school districts in state and federal court, at both the trial court and appellate court levels. Mr. Symons also regularly represents school districts in administrative proceedings before the New York State Division of Human Rights, the New York State Education Department, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Education, and other administrative agencies. Mr. Symons lectures on topics related to his practice areas and is a member of the Onondaga County, New York State, and American bar associations; the Bar Association for the Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York; the New York State Association of School Attorneys; and the New York State School Boards Association. He is also approved by the New York State Education Department to provide training regarding harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination pursuant to the Dignity for All Students Act. Mr. Symons received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Lawrence University and earned his J.D. degree from University of Cincinnati, College of Law.